TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Not only was Jessica Burroughs the best pitcher in the Atlantic Coast Conference this week, the redshirt senior was recognized as the best in the country as she earned Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I National Pitcher of the Week honors, as announced by the Association on Tuesday.

It is the first national weekly award of Burroughs’ career and the first for a Florida State pitcher since Meghan King was honored by the NFCA on March 15, 2016 after pitching a perfect game against Tulsa on March 12.

“Jessica has been such a great veteran presence for this team, not just in the bullpen,” said FSU head coach Lonni Alameda. “It takes everyone on this team to be successful and individual awards are only given because of the complete team effort of pitching, defense and hitting. What an honor for her and this program.”

Burroughs was dominant in the circle for Florida State in four appearances last week as the Noles continued their undefeated start to the season. The redshirt senior earned three wins – two versus Northwestern and one against Nebraska – after tossing 13.2 shutout innings, allowing just three hits with two walks and 23 strikeouts.

For the week, she faced just eight batters over the minimum, pitching to 49 different batters and creating 41 outs, as opponents batted just .067 against her over her four appearances.

Burroughs earned the win in relief against Northwestern on February 17, tossing 2.2 innings of no-hit softball as the Seminoles came from behind to beat the Wildcats. In her start against Northwestern on February 18, she recorded a strikeout against each of the first six batters she faced and finished with nine strikeouts in 5.0 innings pitched, allowing just two batters to reach base.

Burroughs has not allowed a run in her last 20.1 innings in the circle, dating back to a solo home run by Furman in the fourth inning on February 11.

“The big thing about these kinds of awards are that they are a team accomplishment,” said Burroughs. “I couldn’t do anything without my teammates playing behind me or hitting in all of those runs. I’m really honored to receive this award, but I think it speaks to the depth of our pitching staff. We challenge each other in practice every day and I feel less pressure when I pitch because I know that any of them would be able to come in and do a great job for the team if I get into trouble.”

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